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silueta

see-loo-EH-tah/siˈlweta/

silhouette, outline

Also: profile
NounfA2
A dark, black outline of a tall pine tree set against a bright orange and yellow sunset sky.

📝 In Action

Vi una silueta oscura en la ventana.

A1

I saw a dark silhouette in the window.

La silueta de las montañas se veía clara bajo la luna.

B1

The outline of the mountains looked clear under the moon.

El fotógrafo capturó la silueta del árbol durante el atardecer.

B1

The photographer captured the silhouette of the tree during the sunset.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • contorno (outline/contour)
  • perfil (profile)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • silueta recortada – sharply defined silhouette
  • dibujar la silueta – to draw the outline

figure, physique

Also: shape
NounfB1
A simple drawing of a person's athletic body shape standing in a neutral pose.

📝 In Action

Ella hace mucho deporte para mantener su silueta.

A2

She does a lot of sports to maintain her figure.

Este vestido favorece mucho tu silueta.

B1

This dress is very flattering for your figure.

El ejercicio regular ayuda a tonificar la silueta.

B2

Regular exercise helps to tone the physique.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • figura (figure)
  • talle (waist/size)

Common Collocations

  • cuidar la silueta – to watch one's figure
  • silueta esbelta – slender figure

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: silueta

Question 1 of 3

Which of these means 'to watch one's figure'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
siluetear(to outline) — Verb
siluetado(outlined) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Named after Étienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister in the 18th century who imposed high taxes, making people live 'cheaply.' Since paper cut-out portraits were the cheapest way to get a likeness made, they were named after him.

First recorded: 19th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: silhouetteFrench: silhouetteItalian: silhouette

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'silueta' used for objects too?

Yes! You can use it to describe the outline of buildings, trees, mountains, or anything that has a clear shape against a background.

How do I say 'silhouette' in the plural?

Simply add an 's' to the end: 'las siluetas'.

Is it a formal word?

It is quite neutral. You can use it in a doctor's office, a fashion magazine, or just talking with friends about the view.